Florence, Italy, July 15, 2014 – The fourth Italian city that the Brazilian men's volleyball team have passed through recently is the most important. After visiting Bologna and Milan, where they faced the tournament hosts Italy, and ensured qualification for the World League Finals, the team led by coach Bernardo Rezende did a week’s training in Modena. On Monday, they arrived in Florence, home of the final games.

Brazil are the biggest winners in the competition’s history, with nine wins, and they kick off their attempt to make it ten with a match against Russia at 17.30 (local time) on Thursday 17 July. For now, they train. “We have looked at the Nelson Mandela Forum, where we will play,” says Brazilian opposite Wallace. “Being in the gym where you could get another title is very special. We need to train to adapt to the players we will face. The gym isn’t that large, and we know that in three days it will be packed, with lots of pressure.”

“Our team is used to playing like that. The Brazilian team always goes through such things, and we know how to deal with it – especially after the way we managed to qualify. We have great enthusiasm, willpower and focus to try to lead Brazil to the highest place on the podium.”

“Playing Russia demands a lot of patience. We need to have our serve at its most efficient. They are strong blockers. Iran have already shown us what they can do. We know they are in fine form.”